I searched all the other posts about dixons and didn’t see anything that really answered my question.
I’ve heard all about the 3-part dixon flute and that it is very nice, but is the 2-piece one that comes with the low-D duo any good? What are your thoughts on it? Did it simply lead you to buy the nicer 3-piece polymer one or did you actually like it enough to keep playing it? I’m thinking about getting the low D duo. Just wondering, and thank you!
Personally, I think the low D duo is junk. Whistles and flutes are not alike. You can buy a cheap whistle and it’ll work just fine, but it really pays to have a good flute. I tried the standard Dixon once for about 5 minutes and it seemed decent, but it really wasn’t long enough to tell. My personal recommendation - call Pat Olwell, buy a bamboo D flute from him for immediate delivery, get on his waiting list for an unkeyed wooden flute, play the heck out of the bamboo over the next year and when the wooden flute comes you’ll be ready for it and won’t need another flute ever again (unless you decide you want keys). If I had to do it all over again this is definately what I’d do.
Best,
Chris
The Duo has been good enough to confirm that I really wanted a better flute. I’ll keep it for camping, travel, etc. It’s fairly easy to play, but it doesn’t sound like a woodenflute (the better made delrin flutes do!) Because the Duo’s flute head is a thin plastic tube, the chimney of the embouchure is very shallow. This caused me some problems in trying to adjust to the deeper chimney on my Copley (which I love!).
If you just want to test the waters with a cheap flute, the Duo is good for that - although some will suggest an Olwell bamboo instead. If you know you really want to play flute, save up and get a good one. 
DanD
I think the Tony Dixon 3 piece (not two piece whistle duo) is perfect for beginners. I started out with an Olwell bamboo and after it shipped I couldn’t get a note out of it. I then called Patrick who informed me I was playing it left-handed. I then sent it in and he sent me a left-handed bamboo flute. After playing this for a while my instructor encouraged me to switch to right-handed (since I’m right handed I just play instruments backward). I switched to right handed and really struggled since now I was playing a lefty flute right-handed. Well I finally saved up and after allot of research got a Tony Dixon 3 piece and I couldn’t be happier. I have improved tons. I think it sounds great and is easy to play even though it’s smaller embouchure hole really forces you to play with a nice tight embouchure.
Beginning Irish flute was frustrating and several times I thought I would give up. No doubt It was my fault for not figuring out the hand thingy in the begining. Either way I could never recommned a bamboo or PVC flute to beginners. The chimney height is different than on a regular irish flute, be it blackwood or polymer meaning you will actually blow differently. I had to blow more across on the bamboo flute while I actually can bear down and blow more into and directly ontop of the cutting side on the dixon creating a nice reedy tone. Since it is not three peices you are unable to adjust the hand position or embouchure to your likeing. The light weight is a bit deceiving and shouldn’t be something you get too used to especially if your looking foward to a keyed monster in the future.
Now that I’ve improved my playing and embouchure, I pick up my Olwell bamboo and still can’t do anything close to what I can do with the Dixon 3 piece. The Irish Flute is a major challage to figure out. Breathing, tone, embouchure, finger stretch for some, and trying not to pass out. I think the Olwell bamboo’s are everything people say they are. Nice full sound, lightweight etc.. I think experienced players pick up the Olwell Bamboos and are amazed with what they can do with it. But for me if I look at it objectivly taking into consideration my self imposed frustrations I think your better off with either the Tony Dixon 3 piece or the new M&E Rudall which I have not tried but heard allot of positive feedback on.
Sorry this is long but everytime someone suggests a bamboo flute or PVC flute by any maker I cringe a little bit. I also wanted to explain the context so you can see I was not faultless in my frustration.
Good luck
- Craig